Improvement in window-fasteners



G. E. MANN. Window-Fastener.

No. 222,998. Patented Dec. 30,1879.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFEr-eE.

GEORGE E. MANN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF OF HIS RIGHT TO CHARLES F. BINGHAM, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN WINDOW-FASTENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222.998, dated December 30, 1879; application filed May 26, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE F. MANN, of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, (assignor of one-half interest to Chas. F. Binghani, of same place,) have made certain Improvements in Window-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device entirely independent ofa window-casing. Itis screwed on top of the lower window-sash at the ex treme side, so that a portion of it will engage with the opposite side piece of the upper sash, and thus fasten the window, either when it is entirely closed or raised at any height; and the invention consists in a small metal piece or base that is screwed onto the top of the lower sash, and has hinged at the back a curved lever with an eccentric face, on which are teeth or cogs, to engage with a cogged plate fastened to the side of the windowsash opposite; or the teeth of the eccentric can engage directly with the wood of the sash without the use of a plate. This lever has a spring on its under side to automatically throw it up, and the lever is inclosed by a hinged metal loop, which, on pushing forward, forces the eccentric face against the window-sash. The loop is kept in place on the lever by teeth or notches formed on the curved back of the lever, and the inner upper part of the loop is beveled to an edge that engages therewith.

The lever being wider and curved at the engaging end, and curved on the back, gives two strong bearingpoints, and the spring keeps the teeth of the back engaged against the loop, or throws it up when the loop is down, all as hereinafter specified.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View, as attached to a window'sash; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the device.

A represents a flat metal plate, which is screwed to the top of a lower windowsash, B. At the back of this plate A is hinged, at a, a curved lever, U, which gradually widens to the end, giving a face, I), which is formed intoa curved or eccentric shape, and with teeth therein. A narrow loop, D, with a projecting thumb-piece, c, incloses the lever O at the sides, and is hinged to the bottom plate A- at (1, allowing it to swing over the back of the lever-fastening piece (3. A spring, 6, is set under the lever C, so as to throw it up automatically and keep it from the sash, ex ceptwhen it is desired to fasten the window, which is done by setting the loop forward. To aid in holding it there, or when it is set, the back of the swinging lever G is-notched, as shown at f, and the under side of the top of the loop D is formed into a beveled edge, and engages with and holds it wherever set in the notches.

Its operation is as follows: The bottom plate, A, is set onto the top of the lower sash of a window at the extreme left or right hand and screwed thereto, the eccentric face of the lever pointing to the side piece B of the upper sash. WVhen the window is free, or to be opened, (either the upper or lower sash,) or left unlocked, the thumb-loop D is drawn down inward, and the spring-.0 throws the lever U upward, as shown in Fig. 2. \Vhen the window is to be locked or held 'at any height, en-

tirely or partly open, the loop D is pushed forward, which carries the lever O downward, pressing its face 1) against the sash opposite, the teeth catching either into a cogged plate fastened to the sash to prevent marring it, or setting against the wood of the sash itself, thereby holding the two sashes tightly engaged.

By this simple arrangement neither the upper sash can be forced down nor the lower sash pushed up, as any pressure on either only tightens the locking device and binds both sashes against the casing in opposite directions, thereby relieving the strain on the lock.

The loop also prevents the lever from being pushed up or away byparties on the outside using a knife or any fiat piece of metal, or otherwise.

It is of a very simple construction, having only three pieces of casting, is easily made, and can be put on windows by any one; has no connection with the casiug,'and requires no mortising or fitting to be made in the window or casin g.

It is an effectual 100k for either the upper or lower sash at any point to which it is desired to raise or lower either of the sashes,

and. the more it is tried (to open it) from the outside the more it binds the sash.

I claim- The Window-fastener consisting of the bottom plate, A, the curved lever O, hinged thereto at a, with the curved or eccentric face I), and teeth thereon, the notches or teeth f on 

